NFL Mock Draft: Commanders Trade Back, Miss on QBs?

The Washington Commanders hold the No. 2 overall pick, with many thinking the organization will take a quarterback, but in Tom Fornelli's mock draft for CBS Sports, the franchise is doing something unexpected.

Ever since the Washington Commanders have been locked into the No. 2 overall pick, the thought has been which quarterback the franchise will take.

With a new regime and fresh approach, what better way to kickstart the Dan Quinn/Adam Peters era than to select a quarterback who could lead the franchise for the next decade?

Well, while most think that the Commanders will indeed take a quarterback, in Tom Fornelli's latest NFL mock draft, Washington does something no one sees coming - it trades back to No. 8 with Atlanta moving up to No. 2, and the Commanders get Sam Howell some offensive line help with Penn State's Olu Fashanu coming to the nation's capital.

"Like Latham, Fashanu is a better pass-blocker than run-blocker, but Latham is further ahead in that aspect, so I have him slightly ahead of Fashanu now," Fornelli writes. "That said, I love Olu, an outstanding pass-blocker who is strong enough to hold up against a power rusher and athletic enough to move quickly and counter speed rushers. He also does an excellent job of diagnosing threats pre-snap and adjusting after the snap."

Tommy Gilligan - USA TODAY Sports

It is no secret that Howell was sacked for fun last year, as the Commanders gave up the second-most sacks in the NFL (65), but by selecting Fashanu, Howell gets his blindside protected by one of the best left tackles in this draft class.

His athletic skills are something to be marveled at as he is equally adept in pass blocking as he is in run blocking, which the Commanders could use on offense to allow Howell time and get the running game with Brian Robinson Jr. rolling.

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Slated to be a potential top-10 pick, in Fashanu, the Commanders could be getting their franchise left tackle for the next decade.

But with the draft having so many talented quarterbacks, could the Commanders really say thanks but no thanks and get Howell some offensive line help instead?